The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed by observation of practical demonstration of decommissioning operations for gaseous agent containers and actuators at customers’ premises or in a simulated workplace.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.

In particular the person should demonstrate the ability to:

communicate and work effectively and safely with others

comply with organisational policies and procedures, including quality requirements

comply with site safety plan, OHS regulations and ODS and SGG regulations (where required) and state and territory legislation applicable to workplace operations

decommission gaseous agent containers and actuators in a minimum of two different settings, including:

identifying risk reduction measures

identifying system components and materials

identifying, selecting and using tools, equipment and materials to perform decommissioning procedures on installed gaseous agent containers and actuators

identifying potential hazards and risks

reviewing decommissioning guidelines with relevant persons

adhering to safety procedures during decommissioning procedures

decommissioning installed gaseous agent containers and actuators using decommissioning guidelines

creating records and documentation

completing workplace housekeeping requirements

locate, interpret and apply relevant information, standards and specifications.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context. It is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards’ requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

actual or simulated work environment and installed gaseous agent containers and actuators

decommissioning guidelines and procedures

assessment documentation, including training and assessment record books

necessary tools, specialist equipment, materials and spare parts

relevant manuals and other documentation, including Australian standards.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Guidance information for assessment

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.

Required skills

customer service skills

language, literacy and numeracy skills to:

communicate with others clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing

read and comply with work instructions and specifications

read and interpret decommissioning guidelines

read and record measurements

record and report information neatly and legibly

planning and organising skills to:

estimate time to complete activities

organise safe transport of gaseous agent containers to storage or reclaim facility

prioritise tasks

interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds

skills to work safely when:

applying workplace housekeeping procedures

removing debris in the work area caused by decommissioning operations

selecting and using tools, equipment and materials for specific tasks

technical skills to:

connect transport caps, plugs and locking devices

convert basic units of measurement and pressure

disconnect:

gaseous agent container bank manifold and components

manual, mechanical, pneumatic and electrical actuators

identify hazards in the work area in preparation for decommissioning operations

isolate interfaced actuators

Required knowledge

action to take when a breach of OHS, ODS and SGG or other policy occurs

awareness of on-site work permit requirements

intent of Australian standards, particularly AS 1851 in relation to decommissioning gaseous agent containers and actuators

key features of legislation, regulations and codes applicable to fire protection equipment decommissioning procedures, including:

extinguishing agent handling licences (EAHL) requirements

implications of not applying legislative requirements to job functions

purpose of the Building Code of Australia (BCA)

records and documentation required to decommission gaseous agent containers and actuators

maintenance requirements for relevant hand and power tools

methods for converting basic units of measurement and pressure

operation of discharge valve assembly and manifold connection components

relevant federal, state or territory legislation that affects organisational operations, including:

anti-discrimination and diversity

equal employment opportunity

safety requirements for using tools, equipment and materials

tools, equipment and materials for decommissioning procedures

types and operation of actuators and activating mechanisms

types and purposes of relevant hardware items

types of electrical safeguards used to protect persons and property

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Rules and regulations may include:

building surveyor requirements

dangerous goods regulations

environmental regulations, including ODS and SGG codes and regulations

licensing arrangements

OHS legislation, codes and regulations

relevant Australian and international standards, such as:

AS 4214 Gaseous fire extinguishing systems

ISO 14520 Gaseous fire-extinguishing systems – Physical properties and system design

NFPA 12 Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems (US)

NFPA 12A Standard on Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems (US)

NFPA 2001 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems (US)

note: Australian standards are frequently revised and users must always check for currency and amendments

relevant federal, state and territory building Acts, regulations and codes, such as:

Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989

BCA

other relevant legislation relating to fire protection equipment, including:

international shipping codes

marine codes for different Australian States.

Requirements may be confirmed with:

colleagues

managers

supervisors

team leaders.

Work procedures may include:

assignment instructions

equipment manufacturers’ requirements

instructions from colleagues, supervisors and managers

ODS, SGG and OHS requirements

personal protective equipment requirements

reporting and documentation requirements

specific customer requirements.

ODS and SGG extinguishing agents may include:

Note list format:

product name (other names) use

Check the latest amendments to the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act for the current list of ODS and SGG extinguishing agents.

ODS and SGG extinguishing agents commonly used in Australia:

FM200 (FE-227 Heptafluoropropane, HFC-227ea) used as a total flooding extinguishing agent and as a replacement for Halon 1301

Halon 1211 (BCF, Halon 1211 BCF, Bromochlorodifluoromethane) used as a streaming agent – requires a special permit in Australia

Halon 1301 (BTM, Halon 1301 BTM, Bromotrifluoromethane) used as a total flooding agent – requires a special permit in Australia

NAF-P-III (HCFC Blend C) used as a streaming agent

NAF-P-IV (HCFC Blend E) used as a streaming agent

NAF-S-III (HCFC Blend A) used as a total flooding agent

SF6 (Sulfurhexafluoride) used as an inerting agent in sealed high voltage switchgear

ODS and SGG extinguishing agents not commonly used in Australia:

Blitz III (HCFC Blend D) used in flooding systems

CFC-11 (Trichlorofluoromethane) may be found as a propellant in some powder fire extinguishers (this product is banned in Australia but may be found on incoming foreign vessels)

FC-2-1-8 (CEA-308) used in flooding systems

FC-3-1-10 (CEA-410) used in flooding systems

FC-5-1-14 (CEA-614) used as a streaming agent

FE-13 (Trifluoromethane, HFC-23) used as a total flooding agent

FE-241 (Chlorotetrafluoroethane, HCFC-124) used as a total flooding agent for non-occupied spaces and as a streaming agent

FE-25 (Pentafluoroethane, HFC-125) used in inerting and explosion suppression applications

FE-36 (Hexafluoropropane, HFC-236fa) used in portable fire extinguishers – is a replacement for Halon 1211 and Halon 1301

FM100 (HBFC-22B1) used in portable fire extinguishers

Halon 2402 (Dibromotetrafluoroethane) limited use in military systems – requires a special permit in Australia

Halotron I (HCFC Blend B or HCFC-123) used as a total flooding agent and streaming agent

Halotron II (blend of HFC-143a and HFC-125) used as a total flooding agent and as a replacement for Halon 1301

HCFC-22 (Chlorodifluoromethane) used as a propellant in some powder fire extinguishers (this product is banned in Australia but may be found on incoming foreign vessels)

HFC-134a (Unsymmetric tetrafluoroethane) used as a propellant in some powder fire extinguishers.

Checking compliance requirements may include:

applying inspection, test and survey requirements according to Australian standards

undertaking checks to ensure procedures are followed according to codes of practice relating to decommissioning.

Action may include:

advising customer

documenting non-compliance

making equipment safe

reporting, as required.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

job scheduling systems and communication devices

personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles, responsibilities and delegations

procedures and work instructions to prevent the emission of ODS and SGG in the workplace

recording and reporting documentation and systems

relevant OHS policies, procedures and programs

relevant rules and regulations

standard operating procedures, work instructions and manuals.

Work permits may include permits to:

enter a work site

enter a work site at specific times

enter a restricted area within a work site

ensure that specific OHS requirements are met before entering a work site.

Decommissioning guidelines may include:

electrical system

inhibit switch

lock-off valve

manifolds and valves, including:

check valves

directional valves

discharged indicators

joints and fastenings

pressure reduction devices

manual release devices

nozzles

pneumatic equipment

release mechanisms, including:

actuating pressure lines

connections

location

mechanical release

remarks

system configuration

types and features of gaseous agent containers, such as:

charge quantity

label

location

marking

mounting

number

orientation

size

warning signs and notices.

Customer requirements may include:

confirming or varying decommissioning instructions

following sign-in and sign-out procedures for entry to or exit from premises

providing non-routine or urgent services

providing routine services

sighting work permits

written or verbal confirmation of services provided and future services, such as maintenance.

Safety procedures may include:

confirmed acceptable floor loading

job safety analysis (JSA) performed for decommissioning, in particular, manual-handling tasks.

Hazards may include:

environmental, including:

improper use of hazardous material and other chemicals

improper use or emission of ODS and SGG; emissions may be caused by:

transporting, storing and manually handling containers containing ODS and SGG agents

removing gaseous agent container valve assembly, manifold connection components and actuators

conducting interface tests during decommissioning procedures between container activating mechanisms and control and indicating equipment (CIE) and fire alarm system

ergonomic, such as incorrect manual-handling methods

any source of potential harm

equipment in a work site

hazards associated with electrical or mechanical faults

obstructive, such as blocked access to emergency entry or exit points

people in a work site

transport caps and safety devices

work methods, plans and procedures.

Tools, equipment and materials may include:

hand tools, including:

hammers

pliers

power tools, including battery drills

screwdrivers

spanners

manual-handling aids, including:

hand trucks

hooks

lifting magnets

lifting straps

suction grips

trolleys

wheelbarrows

fire equipment spare parts, including:

anti-tamper seals

hoses

labels

nozzles

pressure indicators

seals

service tags

valves

non-licensed mechanical-handling aids, including:

cranes

hoists

manually-operated forklifts and pallet trucks.

System components and materials may include:

actuators

agent discharge nozzles

agent distribution pipework and hose networks

control equipment

detection devices

fittings between container valves

flexible discharge hose and fittings, including hose check valve connected between container valve and fixed pipework manifold arrangement

gaseous agent container bank manifold connections

gaseous agent container discharge valves

gaseous agent containers, such as tanks and cylinders

pilot and slave tubes.

Actuators (also known as actuation control devices) may include:

electrical operation: signal generated from CIE panel as part of a fire alarm detection system

manual operation: by direct push lever or pull cable system

mechanical operation

pneumatic operation.

Documentation may include:

corrective action reports

customer recommendation forms

equipment recommendation forms

expense claims

job cards

maintenance record system

manufacturers’ system documentation

product documentation

service agreements

test results and test reports.